The official Blog for bikewalklee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County, FL.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

BWL Column: Complete Streets concept betters communities

BikeWalkLee is excited to be launching a bi-weekly column in the News-Press' new "Go Coastal--get outdoors in SW FL" section. This first column introduces the concept of complete streets and BikeWalkLee's mission. Future columns will cover events
and opportunities to make our area a better place to walk, run, bike and
try transit; explain why street design matters for use and safety;
discuss how local, regional, state and federal policies impact what our
streets look like now and into the future; and much more.

November 22, 2012-- Go Coastal Section

Written by BikeWalkLee

How
do you use the streets of Lee County? Drive your car or motorcycle on
them? Ride your bike? Rollerblade or skateboard? Maybe you run or walk
on (or next to or across) them, or negotiate your way using a
wheelchair. Let’s not forget buses and trolleys, trailers and trucks of
all sizes and shapes.

That’s a lot of
users all competing for their own slice of asphalt, each with their own
needs and concerns. Finding a balance that allows every user full and
fair access is no simple task, and it’s too easy for one interest to
outweigh all others.

In
hopes of better balancing all the potential users, communities such as
Lee County have adopted “complete streets” policies — road networks
that are designed to allow all users safe and convenient access to
streets, with accommodations for the unique needs of each whenever
possible.

Not a
“one size fits all” approach, it is a method of designing new streets to
benefit every likely user and improving existing streets to enhance
access and safety.

More walking and bicycling:
Experts are encouraging walking and bicycling as a response to the
obesity epidemic. Streets safe for bicycling and walking help people of
all ages be physically active.

More return on infrastructure investments: Integrating sidewalks, bike lanes, transit and safe crossings into a road design spares the expense of building them later.

More quality of place:
People using the streets in all kinds of ways — for travel, business
and social interactions — is a hallmark of a vibrant and livable
community.

More transportation choices: Streets that provide travel choices give people the option to avoid traffic jams, save time and peace of mind.

More safety: Improved design and accommodation for bicyclists, pedestrians and mass transit reduces the incidence of crashes.

BikeWalkLee
is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for
complete streets in Lee County — streets that are designed for safe and
convenient travel for all users. Its members work to create
opportunities for residents to enjoy this county’s streets and to enact
better policies to ensure those streets are complete.

In
the weeks ahead, we will be writing about ways you can get out and play
on Lee County’s streets; introduce you to some of the groups, events
and opportunities to make our area a better place to walk, run, bike and
try transit; explain why street design matters for use and safety;
discuss how local, regional, state and federal policies impact what our
streets look like now and into the future; and much more.

About BikeWalkLee Blog

This is the official Blog for BikeWalkLee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County -- streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.